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Measles - Overview

Measles, also known as Rubeola, is a highly contagious viral infection caused by measles virus. It is a very unpleasant condition and sometimes can lead to serious complications. It is contagious as people can get measles just by being in the same room with an infected person. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for 2 to 3 hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Initial symptoms may include fever, cough, red or teary eyes, etc after which Koplik’s spots develops inside of the mouth in 2 or 3 days. Koplik’s spots are small, irregular bluish-white spots seen inside of the mouth often with a reddened background. In another 3 to 4 days, skin rash, which appears reddish-brown, starts to develop and it may last for a week. It mainly affects the children but can occur at any age.

Until 1960’s, measles was considered among one of the deadliest diseases. However, since the development of vaccines, it has become relatively easy to prevent the disease.